Local athletes hit the pitch with Snohomish County FC

A Snohomish County soccer team has been growing and thriving since it was founded in 2017. It’s attracted more players eager to compete and the team is currently the Western Washington Premier League champions.

“I still wanted to play at a high level,” said Andrew Escalante, who is one of the team’s founders. He is an Everett resident who graduated from Lakewood High School in 2007, where he played soccer. A sales employee and an owner of an auto detailing business, he said playing for the club is a great way to stay in shape and to challenge himself against players, some of whom have college-level experience.

The Snohomish County Football Club, known as the Steelheads, currently have alumni from 18 Snohomish County high schools who are part on the roster. “It’s a best-of-Wesco coming out of high school and still wanting to play as adults,” said Club President David Falk.

The team spent the first couple of years playing friendlies with teams throughout the region before joining the Western Washington Premier League in 2019. Falk said the club is playing the highest level of soccer in Snohomish County.

A women’s team, known as the Silvers, formed and has about 20 players. The Silvers play friendlies in a similar manner as the men’s team when the club was founded four years ago. Falk said the women’s team played a friendly against Kirkland but lost. “We believe in women’s soccer in Snohomish County.”

He added the club wanted to start developing the women’s team in 2020, but the shutdown due to the pandemic put the plan a year behind.

“We’re a really super organic club,” General Manager Dorian Lair said, adding the club’s growth relies on word-of-mouth and digital marketing to attract players. Around 45 players between two teams play for the Snohomish County Football Club.

He added that after college, soccer players didn’t have an organized outlet that allows them to still compete.

“It keeps me in shape. I can play at a high level,” said Gunnar Stohl, who is a Marysville-Pilchuck High School graduate who currently works as a land surveyor.

The team also attracts several college players who are enjoying their summer break before heading back to school.

Jamie O’Connell graduated from Woodinville High School after moving to the area from Ireland. He currently plays soccer for George Fox University in Oregon. He, along with other college students in the club, will soon return to school.

“Hopefully the lads will pull through and get that championship,” O’Connell said. He started playing for the Steelheads in May after hearing about the club from a friend.

The season began in March and the Steelheads are currently 5-2-1 and are in second place in the Western Washington Premier League behind a team from Wenatchee. The team plays teams as far away as Grays Harbor.

Players practice two times a week, either at Tambark Creek Park in Bothell or Martha Lake Airport Park in Lynnwood.

The team plays its home games at Lakewood High School stadium, which Falk said is a gorgeous location that has enjoyed recent improvements.

“It’s probably the best field in Snohomish County,” Falk said.

Outside of a couple of friendly matches, the Steelheads won’t return to competitive league play until Aug. 14 against Kirkland. Its next home game will be Aug. 22 hosting Lacey. The season wraps up in September.

Admission for a Steelheads game is $8 for adults, $5 for kids and seniors. Credit cards are accepted.

The club’s website, Snocofc.com, is regularly updated about the club’s activities and provides information about upcoming games and information about how a soccer player can get involved.